Rustic Countryside Wedding Retreat
Branigan
EVENTS DIRECTOR
Typically responds within 24h
Kilbuck Creek is a countryside wedding venue in Monroe Center, IL, nestled on 200 acres of woodland with a spectacular rustic ambience. With its picturesque surroundings and beautiful views, the property exudes romance in every inch of the event space, from the wooded clearings to the open fields and farmhouse. Couples are sure to enjoy a magical day filled with love and celebration in this outdoorsy location, creating memories that live on forever.
Kilbuck Creek is home to stunning event spaces ideal for ceremonies and receptions for up to 210 guests maximum.
Couples are spoiled with choice when it comes to photo opportunities, as the versatile property allows them to capture the big day in a range of styles, from fairytale romance to woodsy, bohemian vibes. Ceremonies can take place outside beneath the towering mature trees and a wooden pergola with views of the forest in the background. Newlyweds are welcome to explore the grounds for their photoshoot before joining guests at cocktail hour on the grassy lawn. A great gathering hall is a perfect place to host a reception. With large barn-style doors and antler-style chandeliers, the hall has many impressive qualities.
Couples who host their wedding at Kilbuck Creek can experience a once-in-a-lifetime getaway weekend, complete with private grounds for walking, an indoor pool and hot tub, and rustic loghouse lodgings. Wedding parties can stay overnight at the venue, enjoying the views from the wraparound porch and plush lounge areas. Wedding packages include catering, bar services, staff, and event rentals, such as tables, chairs, linens, drapery, lighting, decor, and table centerpieces. Additional services include a photo booth, ceremony arch, and tableware.
Woman-owned Business
Pricing details
Starting prices
Reception
$3,700
Reception
$3,700
Ceremony
$3,700
Bar services
Contact for price
Catering
Contact for price
- Couples usually spend $7,300
- Starting prices don't include service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees.
- Guest count and seasonality may also affect prices. Peak season for this venue is May-Nov.
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Reach out and share your wedding details.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
On-Site Accommodations
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Guest Capacity
Up to 250
Settings
Backyard
Barn
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Food & Catering
Any questions?
Meet the team
Branigan
Events Director
Hi everyone! I'm very passionate about my job and it brings me so much joy to help my couples but together their dream wedding!
Availability
Reviews
4.7
out of 5.018 reviews
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Kilbuck Creek is highly praised as a dream wedding venue with exceptional staff, particularly mentioning Branigan, Mona, and Riley. Reviewers appreciate the seamless planning process and the beautiful setting, especially in fall. The venue's accommodations, catering by Costa's, and helpful event planners are highlighted as major strengths, creating a stress-free and enchanting experience for couples. Guests commend the well-maintained property, clean facilities, and the overall magical atmosphere at Kilbuck Creek, making it a standout choice for weddings and future visits.Review photos
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Ana G
5.0
2/19/2025
We got married October 18th, 2024. Our wedding day was absolutely beautiful. Everyone at Kilbuck Creek was super helpful and took care of every detail perfectly. Branigan and her team were amazing to work with. Everything was so seamless and easy. The venue is so beautiful, especially in the fall! I couldn't have chosen a better venue!
Michelle D
5.0
12/29/2023
We got married here on December 1st and I’m so happy we chose this venue! When you choose Kilbuck you get to check venue, hotel, and caterer off your list as they have an incredible caterer (Costa’s) for you to work with and you can rent out the cabin for you and your bridal party to stay. We ended up renting the main lodge and the two side cabins so our parents could stay with us as well. We had them two nights so we were able to have an intimate rehearsal dinner the night before at the cabin which is just another thing I didn’t have to worry about! But wait there is more! You also get the amazing Branigan. Branigan is the event planner and was with me every step of the way in planning. She gave incredible advice and we talked thought everything during our meetings. She even came the day of after unexpected rain caused the plans for our ceremony to change. This would have stressed me out but Branigan figured out a plan and executed it flawlessly. I felt taken care of the entire process and cannot say enough amazing things about the staff. From the cleanup crew, planners, and other event staff everyone was absolutely a dream to work with. The space for your reception is also already to beautiful you don’t need many decorations to make it feel complete. I was actually able to set up early which was a huge help. Thank you Branigan, Mona, and the entire Kilbuck team for your help in making my wedding perfect! My family and I are already planning another stay there because we loved it so much!
Any questions?
Rebecca D
5.0
9/20/2023
After we got engaged the first thing I did was look into venues, Kilbuck was the first venue to catch my eye, so I scheduled a visit/tour with Mona and from the second I stepped out of my car I was in love, so we booked for Friday -Sunday.
On Saturday 9.9.2023 ,we had our dream wedding!
My wedding party and parents were able to stay at the venue the night before and the night of the wedding which made set up and take down very stress free.
The house, the reception hall, the cabin, the ceremony pergola, everything was absolutely perfect from start to finish. Branigan/Riley/Mona were all so helpful and sweet and made me feel very comfortable and helpful when we needed them. All the staff during the wedding worked amazing with my other vendors, the whole property was super well maintained and the houses were clean.
during the almost 2 years of planning I was able to go to the venue multiple times as needed for measurements or just to show family/friends. I honestly could go on forever about this place. I felt like a princess for the weekend.
Thank you to everyone who helped make my dream wedding a reality.. Although I don’t plan to get married again, I will absolutely return for another visit with my friends and family. !!
Kilbuck creek will forever have a place in my heart ❤️
Rebecca&Justin
Donna M
5.0
8/29/2023
The people the place, everything was amazing and magical from start to finish. I wouldn't go anywhere else. I even planned a retreat their because of this experience of my son's wedding.
Madison M
5.0
7/19/2022
Dream day!! My wedding was perfect. Kassie Roescke went ABOVE and BEYOND for us!
Allie K
5.0
9/14/2021
We got married here September 2021 and it WAS THE MOST PERFECT PLACE For our wedding!!! The staff is AMAZING and so kind and willing to help with anything!!!! I really can't say enough about the venue!!! They helped make Our wedding day Dreams come to life and then MORE!!! Was the most perfect wedding!!!!!
Becky M
5.0
6/14/2021
My daughter got married here this last weekend and it was spectacular. Nina was so professional and could not have been easier to work with. Everyone there was professional, courteous and so accommodating. The venue itself is stunning, we had the whole place to ourselves from Friday night until Sunday afternoon and we were all very comfortable. The food we had was so good and everyone loved it. If your thinking about a destination wedding or just something close to home this is the place to do it. ❤️❤️
Michelle R
5.0
5/17/2021
Wow. Just wow! I can not say enough good things about this venue. From the time you tour the venue to having the wedding the staff at Kilbuck Creek is attentive, welcoming and everyone made sure everything was perfect!
The house on the property was perfect for having the rehearsal dinner and the bridal party all together. The day of the wedding everyone was great about communication and working to get things done. Branigan was always available to respond to any questions, she worked to make sure every detail was how we imagined! Meghan was there on site the day of and she made sure that everything ran smoothly! If you're considering Kilbuck Creek for your wedding I promise you will not be disappointed!
Katelyn D
5.0
12/08/2020
Our venue was perfect. Simply perfect. This was one of the first venues that popped up when I was looking at options on The Knot, and I just knew we had to visit it! From our first visit until the day after the wedding, everyone was so nice and helpful. Something that really drew us to Kilbuck was the ability to have all of the events right there: we were able to get ready in the house, our ceremony was in the backyard at a beautiful spot, the reception was in the perfect space and had a patio, and we were able to spend the night with plenty of room for our bridal party (the house sleeps 50 people!) and there's even an indoor pool. Branigan, the event planner, was so amazing! She gave us a ton of recommendations and even provided some of the decorations. Jess, our event coordinator, was so helpful! She helped set everything up in the reception hall and at the ceremony site. I had told my bridesmaids to be there early to help set up, and once we started unloading everything, Jess took over and followed my plan so that we could enjoy getting ready and not feel rushed. She even helped keep the day running on schedule. Another huge advantage was that Kilbuck was beautiful to start--it didn't need a ton of decorations, just a few personal touches to make it ours. If you're looking for a rustic, quiet place, we cannot recommend Kilbuck enough!
Stephanie W
2.0
12/17/2019
When I had first visited the venue, I was SUPER excited. We had only visited two venues in person and we knew this one would be it. We loved the looks of the grounds. However, as the year of planning went on, I was disappointed along the way. We signed the contract, we were overcharged. I had to double check it. Branigan first said she didnt know the 2019 prices, then Mona said she didnt know the prices either. I had to reference their open house packet for what the price was. They are very unorganized. I always had to reach out to Branigan. When she said she would reach out to me, I would wait a month then I had to reach out to her. The first visit, Branigan insisted on being in person. We had taken a vacation day for a 5 min meeting with her coworker. It was not worth the 30 min drive out there. The catering company they pair with is very unorganized as well. They did not show up the day of our food tasting. The venue is beautiful. If the day turned out like they stated it would, it would have been worth the money. There are many beautiful venues like them. I would have rather gone with someone else more organized. It felt like they are there to just make money and not care about your time. We had to wait to schedule our rehearsal dinner because they had to wait on a birthday party since rehearsal dinner is not really paying for the venue. Even though we are paying technically in the ceremony cost. We didn't get it scheduled until a few days before and I had to ask few times because she kept forgetting. They are only available during the day, during the week. Most people work as well and my fiance does not have alot of vacation time. They were not so flexible once we signed that contract. It seems like they are never at work. The day of the wedding, the catering company felt like they rushed us at dinner. We had alot of food left and our guests were not offered seconds. We paid for it. The food was amazing though, but sad our guests couldn't enjoy more. The cake they were supposed to box up once we cut it. We had to throw it out due to it sitting out all night, so now we don't have a cake to unfreeze for our one year anniversary. The pizza was supposed to be taken to the cabin after the reception was over. We did not even eat any pizza since we thought it was going to the cabin. The pool-house was supposed to be open at 8am and it was not the next day. Sunday was the only day we could have swam since all day Saturday we were getting ready. I am sad to read great reviews and my experience was not as great. For the amount of money it cost to have a wedding there, I would suggest going to another venue.
response 12/18/2019
Stephanie W, I want to start off by sincerely apologizing for your negative experience wi...
th our company. We strive to present top-notch customer service in all areas of our business. It is reviews such as yours that provides our company the ability to learn from our mistakes in hopes of creating a better experience in the future. Thank you and I hope you will grant us the opportunity to improve your image of us. Feel free to reach out to us directly!
Thanks and have a great Holiday Season!
Nicole S
5.0
8/03/2019
Absolutely could not have chosen a better venue. From hospitality to all around beauty this venue has it all. Branigan made sure we had everything we wanted and we did. The venue is so beautiful itself, it didn’t take much work to add our own touches of decor. The caterers they work with are beyond superb as well. We are so happy with the outcome!
response 12/18/2019
Nicole S, thank you so much for the kind words, it means the world to us! As a family own...
ed business, we like to think that we treat our guests as part of the family, and we truly put our hearts into our job.
Best wishes to you and your families!! We hope to see you again!!
Jess F
5.0
7/30/2019
Kilbuck Creek was gorgeous! The staff was so friendly & helpful throughout our whole journey. We stayed at the house the night before our wedding. We decorated the reception building, hung out in the pool, and played games in the house. Day of wedding our coordinator was extremely helpful. She was tentative to us and our family / friends. My family members who have young kids enjoyed the play set. Their kids enjoyed being outside instead of being stuck inside. I have absolutely no complaints. My family / friends loved the Kilbuck Creek atmosphere!
response 12/18/2019
Jess F, thank you for taking the time to write a review, and thank you for the kind words...
! We just love to be apart of our couples big day, and it means the world to us that you had a great experience with our company. It was so great working with you and your families...we hope to see you all again!
Kelsey H
5.0
6/26/2019
I first heard of Kilbuck Creek at a bridal fair and fell in love just from the photos. I decided to visit, and it was even more beautiful in person. It was love at first sight and I knew it was where I wanted to get married.
I think it was as stress free of a wedding as they come. As soon as we booked the venue, we felt like 75% of the wedding planning was done because Kilbuck Creek gives you SO MUCH! Both my husband and myself just felt so calm that day because we knew everything was taken care of by their coordinator.
Our guests were absolutely floored by how beautiful everything was there and how organized the day was. I would get re-married there every weekend if I could! They’re that amazing to work with!
response 12/18/2019
You are so sweet Kelsey! We are glad we could take some of the pressure off of you on you...
r big day!! We just loved working with you, and we wish you and your families nothing but the best!! We hoped you to see you all again : )
Kaylee F
5.0
7/03/2018
Everything was perfect from start to finish. The venue was beautiful and the coordinators made sure that every little detail was perfect. It was nearly 95 degrees and everyone at Kilbuck made all of our guests as comfortable as possible. I would highly suggest this venue to anyone and everyone looking for a beautiful outdoor venue.
response 12/18/2019
Hi Kaylee! Thank you for the kind words, it really means the world to us! I'm glad we we...
re able to give you such great service, and we wish nothing but the best for you two and your families!!
Jessica W
2.0
6/09/2018
Had our wedding here this April and it was lovely for the most part. Branigan is a great wedding planner and is great at communication. She was very helpful and accommodating. However I found Kali (the day-of coordinator) very unhelpful. I was assured that my wedding was a one-off and "she's never that forgetful" but who really knows.
I told Kali the night before my wedding that the fairy lights strung up in the reception hall with the tulle were not working and she assured me they would be taken care of. They weren't. I told her a few of the bulbs in the lanterns were out outside the log cabin and she said they'd be fixed. They weren't. Now in my wedding photos only a few of the lanterns are lit and it looks silly. The "night manager" never introduced herself the day of the reception so I had no idea who she was or who to go to if I needed anything, which I did, because the cafe lights on the porch weren't working either and I had no clue how to turn them on. So, I spent 10 minutes playing with their light switches and looking in their utility room AT MY WEDDING trying to figure out how to turn them on - because nothing was discussed about lighting the night before as Branigan said it would be. So in my sparkler send off photos, there's no cafe lights. We had a cigar bar out there and people were basically smoking in the dark. Seems like a small issue but it really annoyed me.
Anyway. The day of my wedding Kali completely forgot to hook up the sound system for the ceremony, and when I caught the fact, it was our ceremony start time. She takes off and I'm standing there ready to walk down the aisle for 20 MINUTES and have heard absolutely nothing. She finally comes back, in tears, and says the microphone was not charged and it isn't working. Great. Kali then promptly disappeared and I never saw her again. I will say I was refunded for this but it doesn't make up for the next fact.
Since we had no microphone for the ceremony, our officiant had to project her voice (AKA scream at us while we stood 2 feet away) so the guests could hear the ceremony. I was told at my reception that a few of the guests still didn't hear much of it. The worst part of all this is that my husband was wearing a lapel microphone for our wedding video. So, in our wedding video, our officiant is screaming into it and it sounds terrible.
I also want to add that the day before our wedding we were running around getting ready for the rehearsal dinner, setting up all the decorations and everything, and Branigan texted me "Oh by the way there's a few family friends and their kids coming to take prom photos here, I hope you don't mind." Ok. She didn't ask if it was ok, she just told me it was happening. Well, it ended up being about 6 couples and all their extended family/grandparents/photographers. We counted 44 people, 16 cars and 2 limos. They parked DIRECTLY in front of the house and were there for over 2 HOURS. My family and bridal party, people bringing the decorations and food for the rehearsal, were not able to park anywhere near the house, so they had to trek from the parking lot with tons of boxes. It was ridiculous and when I complained I got an "Oh, sorry about that" as a response.
Also they only have one caterer that you must go with, which was depressing. We're big foodies and were ready to splurge on high quality amazing food and got average chicken parm and mashed potatoes instead. I wish they let us choose our own caterer.
Jon C
5.0
6/20/2017
We love working with Kilbuck Creek they have always delivered great service and has always accommodated our needs. come!
Thanks,
Extreme Sounds Entertainment & Lighting
extremesoundsentcom
response 12/18/2019
Thank you Jon! We appreciate the kind words!! You also do a fantastic job...keep up the ...
good work!
Keri B
5.0
10/04/2016
Our wedding was in September 2016.
I'm not even sure where to start with Kilbuck Creek! They did such an incredible job and this venue could not be more perfect for a wedding.
We rented out the house Friday night and Saturday night and had such a great time because of it! If you are able to do this, I highly recommend it!! The entire wedding part stayed at the house both nights and really just made for a great weekend of celebrating and also less stress as we didn't have to worry about getting anywhere or forgetting anything! We had the rehearsal dinner catered by South Moon BBQ and they did a great job, the food was incredible!
The staff at Kilbuck are so great, I really didn't even realize how much help we would have during the wedding day and night. Branigan is the coordinator you will work with mostly leading up to the wedding and she is really responsive and very helpful and super nice! There will be a coordinator on site starting at 10am the day of the wedding to help make sure you have everything you need up and through the ceremony and then there is another coordinator during the reception who could not have been more helpful! Seriously, I can't say enough about the Kilbuck employees.
Costa's is the caterer at this venue, there have been a couple bad reviews online about them, but they do not deserve them at all!! The food was INCREDIBLE and we got tons of compliments (out of the blue, not prompted) about how great the food was. For me this was such a relief, there is nothing worse than bad wedding food. We served chicken parmesean, brisket, garlic pasta, roasted potatoes and mixed vegetables. Everything was incredible. Costa's is willing to work with you on any ideas you have as well, like we decided to serve the salad family style during the speeches so guests could get to eating! We did the open bar package and Saro was really great and got us two different beers we wanted that he didn't have listed - Lagunitas IPA and Antihero - we got tons of compliments on that! The only complaint I have with Costa's is that they're not super easy to communicate with via email, which for me was pretty frustrating as that is my preferred method while planning a wedding. There were a lot of emails that went unanswered or had to have multiple reminders sent, but Branigan at KIlbuck can be helpful with that too and meeting with Costa's in person is great so do that at least a couple of times. Oh also - we ordered pizzas from Costa's to be delivered just to the house after the wedding, for people staying in the house, and again people loved it- there was even someone in our wedding party that doesn't like pizza but loved Costa's! AND we got the cake Saro makes (lemon/custard/berries) OMG this cake is amazing, they serve it at the tasting and you will definitely want it at the wedding! We got a small cake to cut, but did a sweets table (that Costa's will refill for $35).
Kilbuck also has an option for using their own photobooth - DO IT!!! Leif and his wife run the photobooth the whole night. They help with guests filling out the scrapbook (which you have to bring your own and double sided tape) and making sure the camera is centered and getting everyone in the shot. Again, we got a lot of compliments on this photobooth because of the space (fits 6 comfortably) and all the different props Leif provided.
Everything about Kilbuck Creek is amazing and perfect, our wedding could not have possibly gone smoother or been better!!!!
response 12/18/2019
Keri you are such a sweetheart!! I loved working with you guys and your families! To ta...
ke the time and write such a thorough review just means the world to us!! As a family owned business, we like to think we treat our customers not just as business transactions, but as part of the family. I'm so glad you loved your experience with us! We would love to see everyone come back for a big family vacation!! Blessings to you and your families!!
Katie S
5.0
7/25/2015
If you are looking for a space that is simple yet gorgeous, and full of character this is your venue. The staff are so helpful and flexible. They can make it into any space you want! Their catering is great as well. They also have accommodations. We opted for staying the night before, but they offer other packages for accommodations. I would completely recommend this venue!
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$5,250 starting price
Kilbuck Creek
Branigan
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Events Director
Typically responds within 24h
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